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What is a GPU?

As you look to the daunting prospect of a PC you might have some questions on the parts

Updated: Mar 7, 2023 8:21 am
What is a GPU?

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As you look into the PC building or take an interest in how they work, then there are plenty of components to learn about and figure out. So what is a GPU?

A GPU (Graphical Processing Unit) is a specialized type of processor designed to handle graphics-related tasks. It’s highly parallel and capable of performing multiple calculations simultaneously.

Making it ideal for performing complex graphics operations such as rendering 3D graphics, running computer simulations, and processing large datasets.

GPUs were initially created for gaming and multimedia applications, but have since found widespread application in scientific computing, machine learning, and cryptocurrency mining. These powerful devices can boost the speed of programs that demand huge quantities of data processing.

GPUs (Graphical Processing Units) are utilized in conjunction with the CPU (Central Processing Unit) in computers. While the CPU handles general-purpose tasks like running the operating system and applications, the GPU handles more intricate calculations necessary for graphics processing.

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The design of the GPU is different from that of the CPU. While CPUs typically feature several cores designed for sequential processing, a GPU boasts thousands of smaller cores designed for parallel operations.

This enables it to handle many calculations simultaneously, making it much faster than CPUs when performing tasks such as rendering complex 3D graphics or training machine learning models.

GPUs are designed for energy efficiency, using specialized memory and cache systems that allow them to store and access large amounts of data quickly and efficiently. This enables GPUs to process large datasets without using too much power, making them ideal for applications such as mobile devices and laptops.

GPUs are specialized processors designed for graphics-related tasks. They boast highly parallel architectures that can execute multiple calculations simultaneously, making them ideal for applications requiring large amounts of data processing.

And if you’re looking for a good graphics card, there is a range of options to pick from depending on what performance level you aim for. If it’s low profile, budget, or best.


With a background in engineering and PC gaming, Seb is a staff writer with a focus on GPU, storage, and power supplies. Also one of tech supports in the office he likes helping and solving problems.

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